7 Best Downtown Restaurants for a Quick Bite

It's not easy to just go for a quick meal in a city like Toronto. Crowded restaurants and tight schedules make eating out a challenge. For those living or working in Downtown Toronto looking a place that's both quick and delicious, here's some good news: Such places do exist. You can find them scattered around, you just have to look more. Or you can quickly read this list of the top downtown restaurants for a quick bite. It's up to you.

7. Thompson Diner (formerly The Counter)

If you are looking for a late-night quick bite, Counter, located in the Thompson Hotel, is a 24/7 diner joint made classy. With its funky decor resembling American diners in late 80’s, huge portions and comfort food, you will get everything you could expect from this place and much more. It might be a bit more expensive than your average diner, but the food is also so much better.

Thompson Diner by Jeff Hitchcock

The counter by Gabriel Li

6. Wilbur Mexicana

If you are fed up with typical Mexican restaurants and looking for something slightly more creative and fun for a quick lunch, Wilbur Mexicana is just the place for you. It was named after Wilbur Scoville, an American pharmacist, chemist and the mind behind the Scoville scale created to measure the heat of chili peppers. Exploring the chemistry side of cooking and replacing the tacky skull and sombreros with lab coats and chemistry notes scribbled around walls, this place manages to shed a new light on the city’s Mexican food scene.

Wilbur Mexicana interior by Nicole F.

Wilbur Mexicana Corn by Dan L.

5. Aroma Espresso Bar

Where better to stop for a quick power-lunch than at a coffee shop? Aroma Espresso Bar is the place to visit when you are in a hurry and need that shot of extra caffeine and something delicious to fuel you through the day. In addition to great coffee they serve soups, sandwiches, pastries, and salads with emphasis on consistency of quality and with fresh ingredients always on hand. They even make fresh bread in house every day. So when you are thinking about whether to go for a quick bite or a coffee, remember that here you can have both.

Aroma Espresso Bar by Scott Bale

Capuccino by Aroma

4. Wvrst

If you are in the mood for simple but delicious hot-dog joint, Wvrst is the right place to go. With their deli fridge full of sausages organized by country, hot buns and a great beer list, this is the best place for a quick stop after work or before heading out with friends. They resemble classic German eatery but with better food and cleaner tables. As a bonus, their staff is quick on their feet and food arrives typically in ten minutes or less. So if you love sausages, Wvrst should be a winner.

WVRST by Lucas Richarz

WVRST Duck Fat Fries by Lucas Richarz

3. iQ Food CO.

iQ Food CO. is a quick food court restaurant located inside TD Center that offers quick and healthy meal options. They offer salads, hot meal boxes, and other health-conscious options resembling Whole Foods except their food is even more delicious, always fresh and reasonably priced. During lunch, you can run into a line stretching from the restaurant, but don’t worry, their staff is organized and efficient and the line is moving quickly. So if you are in financial district hurrying to a meeting or back to work, you can always pop in for a quick bite.

2. Forno Cultura

Forno Cultura is (as they call themselves on their website) alternative bakery making everything from tempting baked goods to delicious meals. You can find them directly below Wvrst and smell the deliciousness even before you set foot inside. Their focus is mostly on baked goods, but here you can find anything you would ever need to prepare your favourite Italian food. They serve full meals for dinner as collaborations with outside chefs and food gurus, or you can grab a quick panini and other baked goods here all day.

Forno Cultura

Salted Frollla Sundriedtomatoe Chilli by Forno Cultura

1. Me Va Me

Eating healthy when you are in hurry is always a challenge in Toronto. Looking for a quick bite, most people will opt for greasy fast food rather than searching for healthier food. But they don’t have to anymore. In the heart of Toronto on Queen Street is now a much healthier and really tasty alternative. Ma Va Me is an express kitchen serving healthy Mediterranean meals in minutes. The best thing about Ma Va Me, besides quick serving time, is the variety of dishes and combination you can choose from their menu and their helpful and always friendly staff. And for that they deserve the first place on this list.

Me Va Me exterior

Hummus by Me Va Me

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